Fujitsu DWDM Platform Wins RUS Approval

RICHARDSON, Texas -- Fujitsu Network Communications Inc., a leading supplier of IT and wireline/wireless networking solutions, today announced that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) branch of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted "RUS Technical Acceptance" to the Fujitsu FLASHWAVE 7420 Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) platform. By adding the platform to the RUS "List of Materials for Transmission and Central Office Equipment", the USDA has made it easier for rural communities to create next-generation DWDM networks in support of broadband and other new and advanced services. The FLASHWAVE 7420 platform is sold exclusively by Fujitsu to North American telecommunications carriers through a strategic technology partnership with ADVA Optical Networking.

The RUS provides independent and rural utilities and telecommunications service providers with low-interest financing to assist them in the purchase of new equipment. The financing serves to keep costs down, which can then be passed to consumers, as well as foster competition with services offered by larger regional and national carriers. $8.8 million in broadband community connect grants was recently awarded by the USDA Rural Development office to 16 communities in 10 states.

With this award, the FLASHWAVE 7420 platform joins many other Fujitsu platforms on RUS material lists. Products currently on RUS lists include the FLASHWAVE 4500 Multi-Service Provisioning Platform (MSPP), the FLASHWAVE 4300 optical aggregation platform, the FLASHWAVE 4100 optical access platform and the FLASHWAVE 4010 remote SONET extension device. All of these platforms qualify for low-interest financing to aid in deployment in rural areas.

"With both SONET and DWDM platforms on the RUS list of materials, Fujitsu is giving rural service providers a variety of options for reliable, flexible and cost-effective networks," said Bill Erickson, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Fujitsu Network Communications. "The advanced DWDM capabilities of the FLASHWAVE 7420 platform will help bring exciting new broadband services to rural communities while keeping costs in control for the carriers who serve them."

Fujitsu Network Communications Inc. (FNC)